THE VALIDATION OF ARCHITECTURE

Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements is proud to announce the first lecture of a series of public events in its Fall Sequence 2015. Eminent architect Dr Suha Ozkan starts the series off with a lecture titled "The Validation of Architecture".

Dr Suha Ozkan is an architect and architectural theorist, and is the former Secretary-General of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Working from 1982-2007, he helped establish the Aga Khan Award as one of the premier architectural institutions of the world dedicated to the recognition and celebration of work of highest excellence. Dr Ozkan is also the Founding President of World Architecture Community. Educated at the Middle East Technical University and the Architectural Association, Dr Ozkan was also involved with a number of universities and institutions including METU, the UIA, the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements and the Hassan Fathy Institute. He is also the author of a number of books on contemporary architecture.

The Indian edition of Kali o Kalam’s first billboard was installed in Kolkata at Exide crossing on Thursday, 30 July, 2015.

Kali O Kalam is a monthly Arts and Letters magazine and is considered to be one of the longest-running and, presently, the most critically acclaimed Bengali literary journal in the world. Since its inception, the readership of the magazine has expanded across all borders and has spread to all Bengali speaking communities around the globe.

The first issue of the Indian edition of the esteemed literary monthly was launched in July 2015 with distinguished poet, Nirendranath Chakravarty as its editor. Published by Suchisree Roy on behalf of Barota Publications Private Limited, the Editorial Board is comprised of Dr. Anisuzzaman, painter Ganesh Haloi and writer Bani Basu.

DHAKA, 21st JUNE, 2015 – Le Méridien Dhaka, city’s newest upscale hotel, and Bengal Art Lounge, a leading art gallery in the country, this week signed a non-commercial partnership to help guests of the hotel to better engage in the local contemporary art scene. The partnership is critical for the roll out of one of the brand programmes of Le Méridien, Unlock Art™. The agreement has been signed by Managing Director Nawshin Khair and Director Luva Nahid Choudhury of Bengal Art Lounge and by General Manager Ashwani Nayar and Marketing Communications Manager Zaireen Sultana Lupa of Le Méridien Dhaka. Under the terms of the Unlock Art™ Partnership, guests of Le Méridien Dhaka will be encouraged to visit a local contemporary cultural centre throughout the year at Bengal Art Lounge. Furthermore, Bengal Art Lounge will also provide a cultural experience directly to the guests of Le Méridien Dhaka by organizing arts-related events in the premises of the hotel on a periodical basis.Since 2006, Le Méridien has been approaching the hospitality industry in a new way to attract its aspirational target guest the “Creative-minded” through relevant, interactive and engaging experiences such as the Unlock Art programme. Hotels under the brand have been establishing this unique partnership with contemporary cultural centers within their destinations across the world to provide guests with easy access to “unlocking” a local contemporary cultural experience. Unlock Art™ Partnerships aim to present to all guests of Le Méridien a doorway to a new perspective that are executed in an original, refined and sophisticated way. “Le Méridien Dhaka expects to add a completely new dimension of hospitality in Bangladesh,” summarised Ashwani Nayar. “We are an arts and design inspired hotel with a substantial collection of contemporary art installations ourselves. And now the Unlock Art programme will help us to gain momentum where our guests may visit Bengal Art Lounge to view works of contemporary Bangladeshi artists.”“This partnership is in line with our strategy to project a culturally rich Bangladesh to global audiences” explained Luva Nahid Choudhury. “Bengal Art Lounge is a platform where the public can engage with the creativity of Bangladeshi contemporary artists, and we are delighted to propose this experience to the distinguished guests of Le Méridien” added Nawshin Khair.Guests of Le Méridien are upon check-in presented with collectible keycards designed by commissioned artists that open more than guestrooms and suites; they provide special access to partner local cultural centres, allowing them to witness artistic expressions of how present-day events affect the society – an opportunity that Le Méridien guests of Dhaka may now enthusiastically look forward to.

About Bengal Art LoungeAn important actor of the Dhaka art scene, Bengal Art Lounge produces, curates and documents exhibitions of contemporary Bangladeshi artists with a focus on art that is aesthetically compelling and intellectually stimulating. The gallery was created by Bengal Foundation, a not-for-profit trust for the arts, in 2011. Over time, Bengal Art Lounge has gained a reputation in promoting artists whose work push the boundaries of medium, genre or content. With its sleek architecture and distinctive space design, it offers an ideal platform for artists, collectors and art lovers to meet, discuss and engage through a variety of cultural events.

About Le Méridien DhakaWithin 02 km of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Le Méridien Dhaka is situated to connect the Central Business District and cultural nodes of the capital to the township of Uttara, home of RMG sector’s major corporate offices, providing new perspectives of the city for leisure and business travellers alike. From public areas to private spaces, including 304 guestrooms and suites, the hotel is designed to captivate and stimulate curiosity, revealing an inviting threshold of indulgent amenities and décor of vibrant hues on achromatic tones. A choice of 07 restaurants and bars offer a selection of global cuisine in local flavours alongside key brand programmes to excite the creative-minded and culture-seekers. The hotel also features the Explore SpaSM, which is signature to Le Méridien brand, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, and the only rooftop tennis court and a skyline infinity pool on the 16th story in the city, reinterpreting luxury to at new heights of imagination.

Kali o Kalam on the go!

Kali o Kalam can now be accessed from your mobile smart devices. To access the magazine on your smart phone or tablet, please download a QR Code Scanner app (such as the I-NIGMA BARCODE SCANNER), available at the Google Play store for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices. Scan the provided QR Code and it will navigate you to the Kali o Kalam website.

Inauguration of the Dhaka University, Department of Music -Bengal Foundation Music Archive

The Dhaka University - Department of Music, in association with the Bengal Foundation, successfully launched the ‘Department of Music – Bengal Foundation Music Archive’ on Thursday, March 12, 2015, at 12PM.

Provided by the Bengal Foundation, the archive hosts CDs, DVDs and 2,000 digital tracks released under the Bengal Foundation label and features computers, headphones, a DVD player and a television to aid students with their research, study and help preserve the musical heritage of Bangladesh.

The Department of Music – Bengal Foundation Music Archive was formally inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique. Pro-Vice Chancellor, Nasrin Ahmed, Bengal Foundation’s Director General, Luva Nahid Choudhury, Editor of Kali O Kalam, Abul Hasnat and Chairperson of the Department of Music, Shahnaz Nasrin; was also present at the event and spoke on the occasion.

Vice Chancellor Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique stated during his speech that he believes taking such initiatives will result in students becoming more knowledgeable and culture-oriented. Director General of Bengal Foundation, Luva Nahid Choudhury added, “This is a step to help preserve, spread and keep the practice of our musical heritage alive.” She believes it is our duty to facilitate and improve the quality of education for the next generation of students.

The Bengal Foundation has begun work on its Contemporary Arts and Crafts Museum, Bangladesh’s first private museum of its kind. The ambitious complex will house multi-media works from the organization’s founder Abul Khair’s private collection, pieces by local artists, a sculpture garden, and a boat museum to celebrate the various cultural arts of local residents.

Abul Khair opens 'Sufi Sutra'

Abul Khair, Chairman, Bengal Foundation, opened 'Sufi Sutra', an international three day Sufi music festival, along with Kesarinath Tripathi, Governor of West Bengal, on February 6, at Mohorkunja, Kolkata. Sufi Sutra is organised by Bangla Natak.